Prevalence of sealant in an Italian paediatric population: an epidemiological study

Aim The use of sealants is an effective measure for the prevention of pit and fissure caries in children and it has been well documented by several studies In order to plan and establish a preventive national programme, it is important to know the epidemiological pattern in an Italian paediatric population, correlated to the risk of caries, DMFT and other sociodemographic factors.Methods This study was conducted on 2,442 children aged between 6 and 12 years attending the paediatric dentistry department of the University of L'Aquila, Italy. In addition to the oral examination, a questionnaire was administered on bad habits and the family perception of sealing. For descriptive analysis, the sample was stratified into two groups based on the presence/absence of at least one tooth with sealant. The differences between discrete and nominal variables, reported as absolute and percentage frequencies, were assessed by applying the chi 2 test or the Fisher's exact test, as appropriate. Continuous variables were expressed in terms of mean values and their standard deviation(+/- DS) and the differences between the two groups under consideration were analysed through Student's t-test. The tests used are two-way and a significance level of 5% was applied. The statistical analysis was carried out using the statistical package STATA/IC 15.0 (StataCorp LLC, Texas, USA).Results In this study, the presence of sealants in children is extremely low. The low prevalence of sealants could be attributed to a lack of information and awareness of the population, and probably by the fact that some dentists question the effectiveness and usefulness of sealants for the prevention of caries, despite being a method recommended by the National Guidelines. This hypothesis is supported internationally by several studies conducted on the knowledge and personal opinion of dentists regarding the use of sealants.Conclusion The application of sealants to healthy occlusal surfaces is the best aid in preventing the development of caries in these areas, and this is especially important in childhood and adolescence, when the incidence of this pathology is particularly high.

Automated summary

This study aims to understand the use of sealants in an Italian pediatric population and its correlation with caries risk, DMFT, and other sociodemographic factors. The findings showed that the use of sealants in children is extremely low, possibly due to lack of information and awareness, as well as skepticism from some dentists regarding the effectiveness and usefulness of sealants. Therefore, applying sealants to healthy occlusal surfaces is crucial in preventing caries development, especially during childhood and adolescence when the incidence of this pathology is high.